Ceremonial Burning and Smudging Procedure (DRAFT)

Purpose:

This procedure delineates responsibilities and actions required for ceremonial burning and smudging.

Policy/Procedure Regulation:

Noncompliance with the ceremonial burning and smudging procedures may result in the triggering of the fire alarm system that could lead to an evacuation of building occupants and/or health and safety risks to the University community.

1. Prior to the ceremony:

• A Facility Manager will be designated by Facilities Services
• The Facilities Manager will provide reasonable notice to appropriate stakeholders and serve as the point of contact for building occupants. All stakeholders must be notified of the date, time, and location of the event. Building occupants with physical sensitivity to smoke or scent should be allowed to make alternate work arrangements.
• The Event Organizer will implement the conditions and place Work Orders required in the event authorization.
• The Facilities Manager will confirm the status of the smoke alarm(s) prior to initiating the ceremonial burning and smudging ceremony.
• The Facilities Manager shall notify Campus Safety immediately prior to deactivating any alarms or detectors.
• The container that holds the ceremonial material must be heat resistant and made of a material that will not easily break with prolonged heat. The container also needs to protect the floor or table where placed and if necessary, a fire blanket or other heat-resistant insulation will be placed under the container.
• The Event Organizer will assign a university employee as a Fire Watch to monitor the event. Any personnel performing Fire Watch duties must be trained to use a fire extinguisher and know the location of the nearest one.

1. During the Ceremony:

• Ensure the ceremonial materials are in control of the person conducting the ceremony. Don’t leave bowls, smudge sticks, candles, charcoal or other items used unattended.
• Extinguish ceremonial materials on the container until burned out or keep a little sand or soil in the bowl or shell to snuff them out.
• Smoke and some scents have the potential to create respiratory distress and/or allergic reactions. The Event Organizer must be present at all times and in the event there is a need to coordinate a response for medical reasons.
• The assigned Fire Watch must maintain visual contact with the person performing the ceremony at all times.
• Observe all emergency procedures.

1. Post Ceremony:

• Ensure that the ceremonial materials are extinguished completely. The Event Organizer or assigned Fire Watch will be responsible for ensuring that 30 minutes after the end of the event there remains no source of ignition (i.e. that there is no open flame and no embers).
• Do not dispose of the ceremonial materials indoors and not until it is completely extinguished.
• Notify Facilities to reactivate the smoke alarm as soon as possible after the smoke has dissipated.

History:

Adoption date:
Implementation date: